Obesity can the government do more?

in europe obesity in young children is spiralling out of hand food chains offer larger meals buy one burger get one free super size meals win extra food do you government are doing enough to allow this first the country makes these children obese and takes their money then they take you money again by offering you diet pill whats your views for the future generetion ?

if they can ban cigarretes in public places for health reasons is this not a health reason?

Haha, I like the fat tax. If they're going to be obese and knowingly aid health risks for themselves, they can put more money into the system so that not all of my tax money pays for their gastric bypass surgery. But in all honesty, I don't think the government could do much because a law would have to be passed. And when you go around trying to tell people what they can and can't have, especially when considering food, they won't go for it. People just have to make the decision themselves to have a healthy lifestyle. It's a choice.

make people eat less, or introduce a Fat Tax!

if you look at polititians they are mainly fat so thats the example laid down by these people

screw that fat people will rule the world some day and their will be nothing you skinny *** wholes can do about it.

How is this a government problem? Good Lord - you Europeans and your socialism. Get some backbone.

yes...they should lock all the fatties up and make them eat salad until they be thin again....lol

I blame parents who see taking their kid to McDonald's or the like as a "treat". If kids think this is a treat, when they get older and a few pounds pocket money they'll choose to go there. Parents need to take responsibility for their kids attitude to food. I also think that shops need to do more to lable their foods - I think Sainsbury's have got the right idea with their red, amber green sign on their own food.

you can't force children to eat healthy you have to teach them how to eat healthy and live a healthier lifestyle. I think parents should'nt take their kids to fast food places and let them stuff theirself full.

Nobody forces McDonalds or any other crap down anyone's throat. Its all to do with how you bring your own children up. Children don't choose their menu, its the parents or guardians. I can't see what the government has to do with it.

It is not government's business or responsiblity to be on the "fat patrol."

Also, some people have a metabolic disorder that causes them to be on the larger size. You cannot persecute them because of this "disability" (as I'm sure you socialists would view it)!

Looking for someone to blame? How about the PARENTS of fat kids?!?!

I work in an elementary school. I see what some parents pack in their child's lunch. No kidding, there is little if any protein and everything is processed foods.

Obesity is caused by over eating. The only time the government should get involved is when they have you incarcerated (in jail or prison) so they can modify your diet and the amounts you eat. Other than that, the government should not be involved.

the government should introduce a fat tax, where if you buy unhealthy food you pay more for it.
It makes sence when you think about it, july 1st sees in a smoking ban which is gonna affect the tax the goverment get. so they will need to tax something else, and all the smokers who do quit will turn to food!
Thinking about it if Brown gets in would he actually introduce fat tax, he is a big fella!

The government can definitly do more. They control what kids eat in school and they are the ones getting rid of Gym class, recess and sports in schools.

I can not speak on Europe. But I can somewhat speak about my country USA. The government can only educate. People have freedom to do, eat, play whatever they want. I don't think the government will be able to force anyone to do anything even if it is life saving. As I said, the government can only educate people and hope that they make the correct decisions. Hopefully for the future generation, they will see what is going on now and they will say to themselves, "I want to be healthy! Instead of eating that 2nd cheeseburger, I better eat an apple." It's up to the parents to teach children the proper way of eating and exercising

I'm sorry but that should be the parents job not the government! So you are actually complaining you get more for your money at fast food restaurants... then don't go!

What are they going to do? Take away our freedom to eat what we want? Come on now... This should be a parents job and have nothing to do with the government! Get a life... Make your kids stop eating at one cheeseburger... It's Your own fault if your kids are fat people!!! RUN PLAY WORKOUT stop blaming all your problem on everyone else..

A tax on the fat, sugar and salt content of prepared food would help chase it off of the high street.

The withdrawal of free medical treatment for the obese after they reach 25 would also help eliminate the problem. This may also help reduce the welfare burden as the obese tend to have high unemployment rates.

The goverment can do a bit more, by offering healthier food choices at kids luches, insteads of having pop and junk food vending machines, just take them out completely. But other that that, there isn't anything they can really do.

? it's your mouth and you decide what you put in it i don't need the government telling me the basics of life (.i'm lucky enough to be able to do that myself). theres only one person to blame for obesity . thats the eater. whats the saying " a minute on the lips a life time on the hips"

Why should it be down to the government to do anything about obesity? They cant make people exercise or eat less its all about self-control and discipline.

It's not the government that makes obese children, it's the parents and the children themselves.
And the usage of medicines and treatment for this is ridiculous; unless the reson for the obesity is genetic or due to an illness, ailment or something else, the "treatment" is simply encouraging bad habits and poor standard of nutrition, filling veins with cholesterol, while keeping the body lean. I'm personally going to place money on a huge leap in heart attacks (again) in about 20 years.
Remember don't shift the blame, or try to veil it, all that does is prolong the inevitable.

I think that governments are limited as to what they can do about our personal lives. They can and should consider imposing limits on junk food adverts etc, but how can a government sort out things like parenting (which, like it or not, is the main problem here)?

Parents, not the government, dictate what their children may eat (and if they are unable or unwilling to impose limits on their children, then exactly how can other authorities step in?) As a teacher, I can only advise children of what their eating choices are doing to them, and then try to give lessons to classes whose brains are chemically unable to behave or concentrate. I have no authority to take their toxic substances away. I can make sure my own children eat good food, though, and I do. And other parents think I'm anything from flaky to super-strict.

We really should be able to manage our wieght on our own. The govenment is rather busy to look after lazy people. We all know whats good and bad for us, that exercise is healthy and the less we eat the better we look. No scape goats are needed. EAT LESS, MOVE MORE. Easy. Sorry to be blunt. The people who really do have a problem are being overlooked because of the lazy eat larders

Good question, but I don't think it's all to do with the Government - they have tried to help by taking vending machines out of school and trading burgers etc to salad, but if the kids want fast food, they'll find a way round it. Like you say many fast food chains are offering deals - to them to make more money, but it's doing a lot of harm.

I don't know whether you would have seen it, but on Gordon Ramsey's F Word the other day Janet Street Porter found out that Prince Charles' Duchee Originals (the man who wanted to ban McDonalds!!) main ingredient is Sugar - pies, crisps etc. It was disgusting!